Also within the Pacific are the U.S. state of Hawaii and several island territories including American Samoa and Guam.

More than 1,000 volcanoes and seamounts are in the South Pacific.

The first European to see the Pacific was the Spanish explorer Balboa, on 25 September 1513.
Early Explorer Magellan named it for its peaceful conditions he encountered when he traveled the Pacific Ocean.

Open iPacific Pacific Islands Photographic Map to try and put these islands in perspective. It is a huge water continent with islands often at great distances form each other.
Heading for vacation and looking for accommodations in Australia? Did you know timeshare resales can be more affordable than a hotel. When you are no longer using it you can also sell timeshare or rent your timeshare for extra cash.